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Scotts Valley councilor warns rail-trail segments are far over budget; staff to return with financing options
Summary
Council member Clark said Regional Transportation Commission staff identified a $72 million shortfall for coastal rail-trail segments 8–12 and directed a financing plan; Clark also warned that proposed Senate Bill 1249 could cut about $234,000 annually from local senior-program funding if the Area Agency on Aging restructuring proceeds as drafted.
Council member Clark told the Scotts Valley City Council that the Regional Transportation Commission is confronting a substantial shortfall on coastal rail-trail construction. "That portion of that trail is $72,000,000 over budget and that 72, that includes design, right of way, all the environmental mitigation," Clark said, adding that continuing at the current "burn rate" would divert Measure D active-transportation funds from other local projects.
At Clark's urging, the commission directed staff to work with project sponsors and funding partners "on strategies to reduce costs and deliver the rail trail segments 8 through 12, which could include modifications to the scope." Clark said staff were authorized to initiate a financing process and would return with a plan; he also secured a request that staff report in December on rail banking and options for future delivery within budget.
Clark also raised concern about state legislation. "The big issue that we're facing right now is Senate Bill 1249," he said, describing a proposal to restructure Area Agencies on Aging; Clark said the local effect, as discussed in the senior council, could be a loss of about $234,000 annually for senior programs if a new funding formula penalizes smaller agencies.
The report was informational; no council action was taken during the meeting. Clark said he would continue to press for options that would avoid redirecting local transportation funds to cover the rail-trail shortfall and to urge state legislators to consider funding formulas that do not disadvantage smaller agencies.
